Ukraine: "Starlink Speed Limits Disrupt Operations"... Musk: "It's Up to U.S. Government"

Ukraine: "Drone communications are frequently cut off"
Musk: "U.S. authorities decide all restrictions"

Reuters-Yonhap News

The Ukrainian military has protested to SpaceX, saying that speed restrictions on Starlink terminals provided by the company are disrupting its operations. It says Starlink terminals mounted on drones are frequently losing their connection because of sudden speed restrictions, making operations more difficult. Elon Musk, CEO of Tesla, which operates SpaceX, said that responsibility for speed restrictions on military Starlink service lies with the U.S. government.

On Oct. 14 local time, Serhii Beskrestnov, who serves as a technology adviser to the Ukrainian president's office, said on Telegram, "We confirmed that Starshield, Starlink's military service package, has a speed limit of 100 miles per hour (about 160 kilometers per hour)." He added, "Our military received no advance notice of these restrictions, and they have disrupted multiple operations." He also claimed, "This is no accident; it is connected to the current political situation," adding that reports were mounting that Starlink restrictions had affected long-range operations and frontline logistical support.

The Ukrainian military has been mounting Starlink terminals on drones to avoid Russian forces hacking them. It says that when drones fly faster than 160 kilometers per hour, their satellite communications are cut off, severely disrupting operations.

In response, Musk said the matter was not within his company's purview. On Oct. 14, he wrote on X, the social media platform he owns, "The Starshield system is owned and controlled by the U.S. government." He explained that "all restrictions on speed and use are determined by U.S. military authorities and, ultimately, by the U.S. president."

Some analysts say the dispute over Starlink terminals, which are crucial to Ukraine's drone operations, may be exposing tensions between U.S. and Ukrainian officials. The two sides have been at odds over restrictions on attacks against Russian oil refineries and U.S. President Donald Trump's unilateral announcement of an "energy truce." On Oct. 10, Trump also took aim at Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, saying, "Ukraine needs a new leader."

With the U.S. midterm elections fast approaching, Trump has temporarily eased sanctions on Russian diesel products as a measure to stabilize diesel prices, while Russia has partially lifted its diesel export ban in return, in what has been dubbed a "diesel deal." Zelenskyy strongly condemned the deal, calling it "a birthday present to Putin." Tensions between U.S. and Ukrainian officials have since come into the open.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.